“Smile. You’re in Kenya!” After completing customs at the Jomo Kenyatta airport I was greeted by this sign as I descended the stairs to baggage claim. I followed the command without second thought... grinning excitedly as I thought about the adventures ahead.

The real work will begin on Friday at the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) where David, Morris (beetle systematist, NMK) Josephine (an intern at NMK) and I will work on sorting, identifying, imaging and recording the biometrics of the ~69 beetles species from summer 2009. Josephine will be joining us on our trip to Tana in less than a week as well. Tomorrow, I will have the chance to meet her and Morris and become acquainted with the museum but then it is on to Nairobi National Park tomorrow evening.

So glad to finally be here! You will hear from me again soon!

I’m off to a deep and restful sleep to get adjusted and hopefully avoid any extreme jet lag :/